Sunpower vs Canadian Solar vs REC Solar

[Volusiano]

Where is SunPower based? Oh yeah, here in the U.S. That means when the profits are brought in, that money stays in the U.S. and goes into the American economy, pretty amazing right?

If a company is based in the US but most of their manufacturing is overseas, then ONLY the PROFITS are brought in and that money stays in the US and goes into the American economy. But their EXPENSES (most of the times a much bigger portion of their profits) are spent overseas and that money does not go into the American money.

Not all of SunPower's manufacturing is in the US. I heard have manufacturing plants in Asia as well.

[russ]

Thank you for saving my time (typing). As a solar owner, I don't think I can afford to purchase my system cash without China made panels entering the solar market.

That is true and the same goes for steel prices - they are in the dumps due to general lousy economic conditions plus a couple of hundred millions of tons that the Chinese are dumping on the market.

[silversaver]

Wait a minute here. Using your logic, regardless where there made its still an American company. So same logic Canadian Solar is a Canadian company. We have something against Canadians? The Chinese have been supporting the US economy for decades. They own over 1 trillion of our debit. They are by far the largest holders of American debit in the world. So if you really want to get political. They prop our economy up. If it were not for them buying or debit, our economy would be in much worse shape then it ever was. On top of that I personally what to THANK china for pushing prices in the Solar market to the lowest they have been in over a decade. If it were not for them entering the market many people would not even be able to afford Solar panels today and there would be far fewer people even working in the industry in the USA doing installations.

SO take you narrow minded perspective and give it a rest. Chinese panels have made Solar more affordable then ever for the average American and have helped the Solar installation business INCLUDING other companies like Enpase ( AMERICAN COMAPNY) grow to record levels never seen before..

When I say political, its about our dependance on foreign resources (OIL) that drove me to Solar not China.

John

Thank you for saving my time (typing). As a solar owner, I don't think I can afford to purchase my system cash without China made panels entering the solar market.

[russ]

You mean Canadian Solar the Chinese company - to say otherwise is to try to fool yourself.

The dependence on foreign oil is one of the political one liners that really has no meaning.

[itnetpro]

Wait a minute here. Using your logic, regardless where there made its still an American company. So same logic Canadian Solar is a Canadian company. We have something against Canadians? The Chinese have been supporting the US economy for decades. They own over 1 trillion of our debit. They are by far the largest holders of American debit in the world. So if you really want to get political. They prop our economy up. If it were not for them buying or debit, our economy would be in much worse shape then it ever was. On top of that I personally what to THANK china for pushing prices in the Solar market to the lowest they have been in over a decade. If it were not for them entering the market many people would not even be able to afford Solar panels today and there would be far fewer people even working in the industry in the USA doing installations.

SO take you narrow minded perspective and give it a rest. Chinese panels have made Solar more affordable then ever for the average American and have helped the Solar installation business INCLUDING other companies like Enpase ( AMERICAN COMAPNY) grow to record levels never seen before..

When I say political, its about our dependance on foreign resources (OIL) that drove me to Solar not China.

John

No, but it is an American company, meaning at the end of the day, the bulk of the money stays here in the U.S. instead of going to China.

[KRenn]

Sorry, but I think your comment is funnier.... SunPower isn’t made in USA.

Where is SunPower based? Oh yeah, here in the U.S. That means when the profits are brought in, that money stays in the U.S. and goes into the American economy, pretty amazing right?

[KRenn]

Actually part of the reason I bought solar panels was political. Just so you know, Canadian Solar also manufactures many of their panels in Canada. They are not all manufactured in China. I'm not even sure your SunPower are even made in USA anymore. There is nothing wrong with Sun Power but sometimes the people who buy them can be a bit uppity like all other panels are junk when their not. Its your money, buy what you want.

John

Many? If by many you mean less than 5%, then many is a good word.

No, they manufacture a small amount of their panels in Canada, in Ontario, for the Ontario market to take advantage of the FIT there. Unless you're in Ontario, your panels were made in China.


SunPower panels are made in the U.S(Richmond, California), Mexico and the Philippines, however at the end of the day, the bulk of the money stays here in the U.S. instead of going overseas because SunPower is an American company.

They have large scale facilities and company buildings in Silicon Valley as well as Austin,Texas, so there's really no comparison as far as that goes if you want to look at which company employs more Americans.

[KRenn]

Sorry, but I think your comment is funnier.... SunPower isn’t made in USA.

No, but it is an American company, based in California and Texas, meaning at the end of the day, the bulk of the money stays here in the U.S. instead of going to China.

[Volusiano]

I hear SunPower has manufacturing plants in the Phillipines, too.

[itnetpro]

Actually part of the reason I bought solar panels was political. Just so you know, Canadian Solar also manufactures many of their panels in Canada. They are not all manufactured in China. I'm not even sure your SunPower are even made in USA anymore. There is nothing wrong with Sun Power but sometimes the people who buy them can be a bit uppity like all other panels are junk when their not. Its your money, buy what you want.

John

[silversaver]

You're a really funny guy. One of the key differences I look at with Canadian versus SunPower is....do I want the money to go back to China or do I want the money to stay here in the U.S.?

Sorry, but I think your comment is funnier.... SunPower isn’t made in USA.

[KRenn]

I am a solar analyst in Maryland and I almost never suggest SunPower. Canadian all the way! North American panel, awesome positive power tolerance, high efficiency, great value on price per watt, gold standard industry warranty, and you'll get a better ROI?! Of course it will also pay for itself faster than SPWR too. Sunpower is awesome, but it's getting harder to justify the extra cost. If SunPower decides to stop manufacturing residential modules soon (there are whispers in the industry), then you're up a creek if you need a replacement because they can't integrate with other modules. If you really want to put your Canadian Solar system into lightspeed, then get Solar Edge Power Optimizers too!

Also, I believe the Elite dealer status relates to the amount of SPWR panels sold, and the training provided to installers and sales reps. Awesome, but not necessarily relating to the longevity of the company. Base that on customer reviews found online - the better the reviews, the more serious the company is about being in it to win it for the long haul.

Check out this exciting news on Canadian!! - http://www.pvsolarreport.com/blog/it...est-pct-rating

You're a really funny guy. One of the key differences I look at with Canadian versus SunPower is....do I want the money to go back to China or do I want the money to stay here in the U.S.?

[itnetpro]

I have the same exact Canadian Solar Panels original poster received quote on CS6P 40x250w with Enphase 215w (Clip at 225w). I paid $3.60 per watt before Fed Credit, PA grant and utility credit. They were installed last year. I can say they are awesome. Best value price vs quality. Not to mention a 3rd party insurance policy incase company goes out of business on the warranty. I live near Philadelphia, PA and agree. Take a serious look at Canadian Solar. Don't just look at the specs on paper. Actually look at the panels themselves if you can. Best quality chinese made panels on the market in my opinion.

John

I am a solar analyst in Maryland and I almost never suggest SunPower. Canadian all the way! North American panel, awesome positive power tolerance, high efficiency, great value on price per watt, gold standard industry warranty, and you'll get a better ROI?! Of course it will also pay for itself faster than SPWR too. Sunpower is awesome, but it's getting harder to justify the extra cost. If SunPower decides to stop manufacturing residential modules soon (there are whispers in the industry), then you're up a creek if you need a replacement because they can't integrate with other modules. If you really want to put your Canadian Solar system into lightspeed, then get Solar Edge Power Optimizers too!

Also, I believe the Elite dealer status relates to the amount of SPWR panels sold, and the training provided to installers and sales reps. Awesome, but not necessarily relating to the longevity of the company. Base that on customer reviews found online - the better the reviews, the more serious the company is about being in it to win it for the long haul.

Check out this exciting news on Canadian!! - http://www.pvsolarreport.com/blog/it...est-pct-rating

[EvinPhoenix]

Hello,

I am trying to understand few things. I have the following quotes for solar installation

16 Sunpower X series 345W - $27,368
6 kw Canadian Solar system - $19,200
6 Kw REC Solar system - 17,100

All of the above prices are before the tax credit of 30%. The second and third quotes are from local installers so not sure if they would be around during the entire warranty period while the 1st sunpower one is from a elite dealer.....

Question: Are the Sunpower panels really worth the addition $7K is cost? Will the cost over the length of say 10 years come ahead vs investing the additional 7k somewhere else?...

I am a solar analyst in Maryland and I almost never suggest SunPower. Canadian all the way! North American panel, awesome positive power tolerance, high efficiency, great value on price per watt, gold standard industry warranty, and you'll get a better ROI?! Of course it will also pay for itself faster than SPWR too. Sunpower is awesome, but it's getting harder to justify the extra cost. If SunPower decides to stop manufacturing residential modules soon (there are whispers in the industry), then you're up a creek if you need a replacement because they can't integrate with other modules. If you really want to put your Canadian Solar system into lightspeed, then get Solar Edge Power Optimizers too!

Also, I believe the Elite dealer status relates to the amount of SPWR panels sold, and the training provided to installers and sales reps. Awesome, but not necessarily relating to the longevity of the company. Base that on customer reviews found online - the better the reviews, the more serious the company is about being in it to win it for the long haul.

Check out this exciting news on Canadian!! - http://www.pvsolarreport.com/blog/it...est-pct-rating

[jlgarza15]

I just received a quote from REC today. Central Valley, CA. $17,500 for a 4.5 kW system and $18,500 for a 5 kW system. They did however quote me $17,500 for a 5 kW system at first only to call me back about an hour later and say they made a mistake.